Newcastle express Carroll concerns

17 November 2010 10:30

Newcastle have contacted the Football Association to voice their fears over Andy Carroll's impending senior international debut on Wednesday evening.

England manager Fabio Capello on Tuesday confirmed the 21-year-old striker would win his first cap against France despite reporting with a groin injury.

Press Association Sport understands the club, whose own medics assessed the injury before the player met up with the rest of the squad, contacted the FA to "express their concern" over the possible consequences.

They fear any aggravation of the problem could rule Carroll out of Saturday's Barclays Premier League clash with Bolton.

It is understood the Magpies' missive stopped short of asking for the Gateshead-born frontman to be withdrawn, but rather urged caution with him.

Carroll has been one of the mainstays of Newcastle's creditable start to life back in the top flight, which currently sees him at the top of the scoring stakes with seven goals to date.

One of those was the winner in his club's shock 1-0 victory at Arsenal earlier this month, a game for which Capello was at the Emirates Stadium.

Newcastle's concern is perhaps understandable with Shola Ameobi battling the hamstring injury which kept him out of Saturday's 0-0 draw with Fulham.